Called to Lead an Army

You are as much serving God in looking after your own children,

training them up in God’s fear, 

minding the house, 

and making your household a church for God,

as you would be if you had been called to lead an army

to battle for the Lord of hosts.

- Charles Spurgeon

A Wise Woman Builds Her Home is a place to be encouraged in your high and noble calling of role of wife and mother and daughter to the King and we want to encourage each and every single reader out there to build up strong Christian homes to the glory of God.

We would love for you to link up with us---if you have a post you would like to share regarding the topic above or that has to do with  building up your home, homemaking, character, hospitality, femininity, family, tea, etc. we would love to have you share it with us!

If you link up here please use the image below to let others know that you have linked up here so that they might join in the fun and be encouraged as well:

<a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/tt60/junefuentes/thisbetterwork.jpg" border="0" alt="A-Wise-Woman-Builds-Her-Home"></a>

(It's easy--just copy and paste the code in this box!)


And did you know:

You can get encouraging resources at Vision Forum---everything up to 50% off right now
PLUS free shipping on orders over $25 using discount code:
NOSHIPPING

And the winner for the Norwex giveaway is Rebecca! 
Congratulations--please contact me asap!

COME AND LINK UP!

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Homemaking 101: Vision, Encouragement and Instruction for Young, Christian Wives

I was recently blessed to view the new Homemaking 101: Vision Encouragement and Instruction for Young, Christian Wives DVD by Jennifer Ross. Jennifer is the mom to 11 children ages 19 months to 21 years old and wife to author, Jason Ross. She is owner of the blog, Renewing Housewives, and author of the ebook, Encouraging Challenges. She has a heart for her family and homemaking and this new DVD is one that they had their heart set on making for  years.

 Now I enjoyed  this DVD so much, I even had my daughters watch it! She included everything on how to cook, clean, organize, manage, decorate your walls, budget, pay bills and much more. It is so refreshing when new godly movies are made that bless moms in their invaluable roles of helpmeets, and that is exactly what this is! Jennifer lovingly instructs, humbly encourages as she gives us an inside look into the workings of her home. Also featured is  an older "Titus 2" lady who shares her heart, thoughts and wisdom throughout the entire movie. I am looking forward to to seeing the next parts in the series!

Here is the lovely trailer:

 (Note: please turn off the music at the bottom of the blog)

Friends, Homemaking 101 is a quality product and wonderful glimpse inside of a Christian home that is well-managed and organized. Jennifer Ross has done a wonderful job breaking down homemaking into bite-sized encouragement for the rest of us. I definitely recommend this helpful and inspiring resource to new moms, moms who are looking for encouragement and for daughters in training!

"...I was encouraged by the warm, engaging and gentle manner of instruction. The presentations, suggestions and practical applications will inspire mothers that loving and productive homemaking is not only very doable but desirable! Truly, this series is not simply a reference to, but a pleasant and practical demonstration of, the admonitions found in Titus 2.3-5..." Pamela Spurling

Homemaking 101 is priced at $15.95 but Jennifer is graciously offering a special 25% OFF discount to our readers! Just use the discount code:

25off

This would make a wonderful Christmas gift!

You can find Homemaking 101 at Family Vision Films (great place for getting your family movies!) also you can follow them on their Facebook fan page.

You can following Renewing Housewives on Facebook here.
and on Twitter here..

Thank you, Jennifer!

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Simplifying Christmas Gifts and Ideas

Many of you want to simplify Christmas this year and  that means making something homemade, homespun and from the heart. Some of you are just so crafty that you would not dream of a Christmas that did not have something that you created with your own hands. Today I am going to share some simple gift giving that we can do from our homes that have a special personal touch to them.

Homemade vanilla, cocoa, cookies...

and don't forget the fudge in ornament tins...

Love this Ice cream Sundae kit below! So easy, even I can do it!

Family Movie Night in a bag or you could even do a basket with popcorn and goodies.

For a little girl you could sew up a tea party with homemade napkins, placemats, tablecloth, etc.

Or if you have a bookcase, why not just make a dollhouse?

I also like this teacup idea---seems very simple and elegant.

You can find all these great ideas and their tutorial backlinks over at my
Homemade Christmas Pinterest board!

Also, for those of you who are NOT crafty or too busy and need some *real* ideas, here are some helpful links:

Christmas Gifts for Godly Husbands to Lead Their Homes

Godly Resources for Raising Sons

Book Lists for Daughters

JM Cremps (excellent Christian store for boys)

Beautiful Christian Home Decor

Vision Forum (check out their deal of the day!) 
BIG sale started TODAY up to 50% off on EVERYTHING and FREE shipping with coupon code:
NOSHIPPING (on orders over $25)

Victorian Art

Sense and Sensibility 

Amazon Cyber Monday Christmas Deals

Hope these ideas help!

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Sunday Reflections

Oh, the depth of the riches

of the wisdom and knowledge of God. 

How unsearchable His judgements

and His paths before tracing out!

Who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has been His counselor?

Who has ever given to God,

that God should repay Him?

For from Him and through Him
and to Him are all things.

To Him be the glory forever! 

Amen.

-Romans 11:33-6

Do you know Him?

Need a sound church? 

 

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Loving Daughters

Mothers should naturally be very good at raising daughters because, after, all they are women like we are. But sometimes mothers can become exasperated with their daughters for that very reason: they are so much like us.

The first things mothers must remember is in raising young women is to be kind. A critical spirit is a destructive thing and mothers must not be too hard on their girls. Mothers are naturally prone to be easier on the guys, but this must not be.

Mothers must not attribute motives to their daughters, nor take offense, nor lose patience, nor take things personally as they are raising their daughters. Rather they should put on tender mercies. This is a tall order, but we must not cut ourselves slack when it comes to holiness.

Women are the role modes for their daughters, and they must teach them about meekness, submission, respect, deference, courtesy, and holiness by example. This does not mean that a mother of sons does not have to model these graces. But daughters must look to their mothers as primary examples of their future callings.

--Praise Her in the Gates: The Calling of Christian Motherhood

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Victorian Rose Soap Company

Have you visited Victorian Rose Soap Company? They specialize in homemade goats milk soap and body butters and use only the finest ingredients. Not only that but there soap look and smell amazing--I still remember the first time I tried them. They left my skin feeling super soft, they also looked and smelled amazing.

Here is a peek at some of her new pretty soaps for Christmas:

Ocean Waves Dead Sea Salts Soap

Candy Cane Bar

Winter Wonderland Victorian Snowflake--$3.95

Doesn't this look good enough to eat? This is their Almond Biscotti Swirl soap:

My all time favorite will always---always be these:

Chocolate Vanilla Cut Bar-$5

Victorian Rose Soap Company soaps make fabulous Christmas gifts (we cannot highly recommend them enough) and today they would like to give our readers a 15% discount on any order using the discount code "wisewoman". 

Happy shopping!

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Black Friday Deals:

Vision Forum--Buy 2 products get the 3rd free!

True Christian Motherhood is only $3 today and Wise Woman Consulting just $70.

Lilla Rose is also having a fantastic sale Friday, Nov 25th thru midnight  Saturday, Nov 26th. Everything will be 15-25% off!

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

May the Lord bless this special day of Thanksgiving!

May you all find that quiet part of the day to just get alone
and thank Him for all that He has done
for all that you have
for all that He has abundantly given.
To say a special prayer of thanks
for the very miracle of life
the love of family;
His unfailing faithful providence.

I am also so grateful for each and every one of you!

Have a great and blessed day!

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A Time to Give Thanks

Click here to find

Seven Things to Do With Your Family This Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving Fun

Today is the last day before Thanksgiving, so be sure to create some fun memories for your family! We spent some time making sure we did plenty of crafts this past week and we will do more today. Here are some things we have been making or will:

 Love this easy one from Impress Your Kids (she also has lots of other great ideas)

 This is today's craft...

 Last week we built a huge Mayflower out of a big box we had and printed out pilgrim people to put on the boat and add oars with shish-ka-bob skewers. My boys loved this project. A reader suggested using a big refrigerator/appliance box--what a great idea!

My four younger ones made these for Dad yesterday--super easy and quick! If you have several children like I do, you know from experience to keep the crafts low maintenance!

All of these ideas and their backlinks can be found over at my Pinterest board! I will also post a few more posts later today so come back and check in.

Have fun making memories!

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Vision Forum BLOWOUT $600 Christmas Giveaway!

***This giveaway has ended***

I know that Christmas season officially kicks off in a few days, but since it is my FAVORITE time of year, I thought we might start some early celebrating  here on the blog!

I am SO super excited to share with you that my favorite store, Vision Forum, (that offer fabulous resources on building up a strong Christian home and great products for the entire family) would like to give away THREE gift-certificates to use in their online store that combined up to a grand total of $600!

Aren't you excited?!?!

I am!!!

So if you would like to win a free Christmas at Vision Forum or just some extra goodies for yourself--this is THE place to be! Vision Forum is giving away one $100 gift certificate:

One $200 gift certificate

And a $300 GIFT CERTIFICATE!!!

We have several way for you to enter, but first about a few details about the third prize--

To enter to win the $300 certificate, we ask you to do one special thing since this is "THE BIG ONE"! Please write a post on your blog about Vision Forum and use the exact phrase "Christian books" and link it to www.visionforum.com---EASY! Remember, this is the only way to be eligible for this special certificate, and please be sure to leave a comment saying that you did that with a link to the post so we know you did it (Five entries for this one, friends!). To win the other cards read below:

FOR ALL OTHER ENTRIES

• Like Vision Forum on Facebook
• Follow Vision on Twitter.
• Like A Wise Woman Builds Her Home on Facebook
• Blog, Tweet, or share on Facebook about this giveaway.
• Subscribe to A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
• Subscribe to Vision Forum
• Put the Vision Forum catalog in your blog sidebar (pictured above) linking to the site.
• Take the Christmas giveaway banner below and include it in your post or sidebar (using the scroll box below)  
•  Share my blog button on your blog (located in my sidebar)
• Leave a comment (be sure to leave your email so I can contact you if you are the winner!)

(Each counts as two entries, leave two comments each)

<a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2011/11/vision-forum-blowout-600-christmas.html" target="_blank"><img alt="A-Wise-Woman-Builds-Her-Home" border="0" src="http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/tt60/junefuentes/Red-Christmas-ornaments-christmas-fixed.jpg" /></a>

(Just copy and paste the code in the scrollbox above!)

 

Hope you win! Thank you, Vision Forum!

This giveaway will end on December 3rd.

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Hop Tip: Black Friday Sales has also begun early there!
Click the below for more details.

This post is linked at Far Above Rubies

Building a Home at Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, I thought I would republish this post from the archives...

The Thanksgiving rush is on and we are bombarded with images of the perfect turkey and the perfect Thanksgiving table--but  we need to remember what is most important this time of  year. It is easy to feel pressured with the demands of what the season dictates but there there is definitely a greater goal to be sought.

We need to know that the point of all this preparation is not to impress our guests or family members but to share our hearts of gratefulness and build relationships.

If we are busy rushing around, hurrying, ignoring and even becoming cross at our family members then we are not achieving our goals of building our home or having a successful holiday.

We need to relish the time--part of the Thanksgiving or any holiday experience is the preparing. We want our families to remember having great memories even preparing for Thanksgiving and having the heart of joy and servanthood as we do this. We do not want memories of stress-but instead, we must remain calm and seek the Lord. Remembering that the ultimate goal is to serve and love on those relationships around us--and share the love of Christ with them.

We need to be...HUSHED AND NOT RUSHED... during the holidays. So this year I want you to cement in your mind with me, not what the world  focuses on this time of  year, but the things the Lord would have you reflect on:

Sitting at the feet of Jesus.

Being in awe of all the wonder around you.

Enjoying and be in the minute of everything.

Not allowing ourselves to be robbed of the joy these holidays have the potential to provide.

Building strong relationships and reaching the hearts of those around you.

Loving eachother because the days are short.

Taking time to reflect on the special meaning of this day and...

Ask the Lord to show you how to make your celebration special and different this year from year's past. How can you improve on it? How can you love others more? Can you give out more hugs--more smiles--more grace? Share words of healing and forgiveness? Breathe refreshing life into the home? Make a difference in someone else's life?

May the Lord bless you all, each and every single one of you, as you prepare your home AND  your heart for this special day--Happy Thanksgiving!

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The Sunday Blessing

Because of the Lords' great love we are not consumed,

for His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion;

therefore I will wait for Him.

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him,

to the one who seeks Him;

It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Lamentations 3:22-6

Do you know for sure if you are going to heaven? 

Click here to be sure.

Be sure to join us on Monday--
I have a BIG surprise for you!


(Also, the winners for the Inspired Design Giveaway is
Ana at anablystra@
and Natalie at nataliemeester@
---CONGRATULATIONS! Please contact me asap!)

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She Does Him Good and Not Evil

Have you been struggling lately with respecting and encouraging your husband?

Maybe just need a little nudge, reminder, or some good old-fashioned practical help in just how to do it?

I encourage you to read  through


The 30 Day Husband Challenge


Even if you don't do it--it is definitely a refreshing reminder!

"The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
so he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil
all the days of her life." 

Prov. 31:11-12

Book recommendation: The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace
(now also available in audio)

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Pssssst---I have a special surprise for all of you--I am also going to have the BIGGEST giveaway I have ever had on here on Monday! Stay tuned!

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Preparing to Keep Christ in Christmas and Doing it in a Budget Friendly Way

(Jesus is the Gift mug-half off $4.99)

I know that it is not Christmas yet! But if you are like me, you are already playing the Christmas music, making plans of where to put the tree and have started your shopping. I don't like confining Christmas to just one day. No, the Christmas season, I feel, needs to be stretched out as looooong as possible!

Honestly though, we will be in full swing of the holidays in just 8 days! This year I have been thinking about making the holidays meaningful and have several thoughts floating around in my mind: how can we serve more,  how to bless neighbors, and even how can we decorate with Christ as the center in ways that are budget friendly and then I stumbled across these...

 (Jesus is the Gift Red Cookie Plate 50% off--just $5.49)

I love how special touches truly make a memorable experience for our loved ones...

(Jesus is the Gift Snowflake Apron--50%  off now just  $9.99)

Homemakers everywhere preparing their home to celebrate the Savior's birth...

(Words for the Heart Ornament--50% off and now $3.99)

Reminding themselves of what life is really all about...

 (Handprint ornament--$3.99 half off)

Rejoicing and proclaiming the Good News--
yes, everywhere and especially on the tree!

These Jesus gift bags (start at $1.99) and these Jesus Snowflake gift tags (set of 10 pictured below) for just $1.25 make a wonderful reminder and way to share Him with everyone at Christmas and at such a steal!

 A Wise Woman Tip--orders of over $25 get FREE shipping!
Promo code: SHIPPING25

I am excited and also have many ideas, tips, and thoughts that are free or low budget that I want to share with you for Christmas that will be coming up very soon!

Have you started planning, shopping, or creating gifts for Christmas yet?

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Special Homemaker's Norwex Giveaway!

 (The Ultimate Dream Pack pictured above)

If you are a homemaker, you might be like me, looking for ways to make cleaning the house simpler and easier. A few weeks ago I was sent a box of goodies from Norwex to try out, and let me tell you that I was very pleased.

At the Fuentes home, we like to show hospitality and all of you know that hospitality requires a bit more love in the cleaning department. We even open our home to a church service and host it right in our home! So one day I was preparing for that and decided to put my Norwex supplies to the test.

I had a hand mitt for dusting (Norwex has special fibers in their material that actually pick up and hold the dust and not just smear them around) which worked beautifully and also a special towel for windows. Can I just say that these towels did not leave any residue or smears (like when I normally clean windows) but made cleaning super easy!

Now I am convinced that these products are truly blessing, allowing me to work much quicker and get the house cleaner in a shorter amount of time! And if they did that for me, I am certain they will be a blessing to you as well.

Norwex is also committed to radically reducing the use of chemicals in personal care and cleaning to promote personal health and improve the health of our planet. It has been proven that their products are known to cut cleaning time by 75% or more and when using these cloths, your surfaces will be 99.99% bacteria free (great for moms with children!)

They even have a line of:

Bath and Body Microfiber

Kitchen Cleaning

Kid's Products

Home Essentials

Organic Personal Care Products

and floor system and accessories:

 

The Giveaway

Shelly, who is an independent consultant at Norwex, would like to give away a fall cleaning pack that will include a Microfiber Enviro Cleaning Cloth, Polishing Cloth, and Dusting Mitt to one of my special readers.  This is valued at over $50 and one of their 3 most popular items! All you need to do to enter is leave a comment. (Also, leave an email if you don't have a blog so I may contact you if you are the winner!)

Extra Entries

• Visit the Norwex website
• Facebook about this giveaway
• Tweet about this giveaway
• Blog about this giveaway

You may also visit the Norwex Facebook Fan page and "like" it here!

Each thing you do counts as two entries, so remember to leave two comments each!

Hope you win!

 Thank you, Shelly!

Click on any of the above images to view products.

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This post is linked to Far Above Rubies.